At the Geneva Motor Show, Renault unveiled a new concept car— a driverless vehicle that could be used for ride-sharing services in urban areas.
The Renault EZ-GO is an electric vehicle designed to transport up to six passengers as part of an on-demand mobility service. Combining the flexibility and comfort of individual transport with the efficiency and safety provided by public transport, it is aimed at local authorities and the private sector, and would not be sold to the public.
The service, which could potentially operate 24/7, is intended to supplement car ownership and mass transit options such as buses, trams and underground rail networks.
It could be booked via mobile app or from in-town stations, Renault said.
However, the company wants to improve on existing apps by giving users more choices about their journey.
“If you’re a woman and it’s late, you could ask for girls-only service,” Renault’s manager of concept cars, Stéphane Janin, told Engadget. “Then it becomes a riding pool with no driver and only women in the vehicle so that they will feel safe.”
In terms of design, the EZ-GO has large windows and an innovative door that allows passengers to enter while standing upright. The sofa-type seating is arranged in a semicircle, with reserved spaces for luggage. There’s also onboard Wi-Fi connectivity, smartphone charging, and a large screen in front of the door for displaying trip information (time to arrival, planned stops for boarding or leaving, etc.), or information about local amenities.
Renault said that as a shared service, EZ-GO would offer affordable fares. According to Engadget, the aim is to make it cheaper than an Uber or taxi, but more than a bus.
“The idea is to use autonomous and EV tech to allow mobility for all,” Janin added.
Tags: autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, EV, intelligent transport, Intelligent Transport Systems, Smart Cities